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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Arabesu" data-source="post: 318958" data-attributes="member: 534">Session 1 (cont)It wasn’t too difficult to convince Gilder and Knom.  Both had been looking for work anyway.  Eric mentioned that someone named Habrin Sneed was looking for a group of adventurers to retrieve an item of value.  Gilder was cautiously interested.  Knom was less so.  It sounded too much like stealing, in which Knom would never participate.  Nevertheless, Eric didn’t know the exact details and they were all desperate, so they agreed to the meeting.  Gilder was obviously interested in the money, Eric was more interested in adventure, and Knom also was interested in adventure, but more importantly felt that he owed it Gilder to help if he could.They were to meet Sneed at The Grey Griffin, a mediocre tavern on the northern edge of Forestral.  The proprietor had described Sneed to Eric as “a bookish little snob who conducts ‘is business at my tables without so much as a copper given over to me as commission.  He comes in every night though so I can’t complain too much; at least he never causes any trouble.”  Before they went to the Griffin, Gilder offered to appraise the merchandise they’d found, and to have the boots identified by one of his associates.  The boots were “The Boots of the Goat.”  They could provide the wearer with incredible balance, jumping strength, and climbing capacity under suitable conditions.  The only drawback was that the wearer continually talked much like a goat would, with a series of neighs and grunts interspersed within the wearer’s normal speech, which explained why Procknock had talked in such an unusual manner.  The claw gauntlets had been crafted by a master artisan and brought enough gold to identify the boots and to buy some additional supplies.  Gilder sold the rest of the gear, pocketing an undisclosed amount, and gave the rest to Knom and Eric.  Each was reluctant to wear the boots, particularly Knom who felt that the boots would interfere with spellcasting.  Finally, Eric agreed to wear the boots, but only when the group was engaging some obviously dangerous situation such as crawling around a cavern.The Grey Griffin was moderately busy but they were able to get a table with a stern look at some local commoners.  The proprietor’s son, whom he called “The Boy,” as in “The Boy will bring your grub,” served them with a cautiously curious demeanor.  Sneed arrived, in a flurry of cloth, papers and books, sniffing and wiping his nose on his large dangling sleeves that seemed to function as pockets for yet more papers and books.  He was bespectacled, which confused the party greatly since none of them had actually seen a pair of glasses before, although Gilder figured it out quickly since he had always had his eye on the jeweler’s loop used by one of his associates.  They observed as The Boy served Sneed supper, which he ate somewhat casually while inspecting some papers.  Several peasants nearby were anxiously waiting for him to finish before they approached.  When he finally did, a small struggle broke out as to who would speak to him first, the winner stood at his table edge for a short time before Sneed looked up.The party looked on as the poor sap paid what must have cost several weeks wage to ask a couple of questions.  Sneed wrote them down, took notes, or scribbled something while the pauper talked at which point they were able to determine that the man was to return in a week, presumably for an answer.  They had already asked around as to Sneed’s occupation and all sources indicated that he was an information broker.  The party approached Sneed quickly before another peasant could approach.Sneed:  “Yeees?  You have some questions.”Gilder:  “Our colleague here,” pointing to Eric, “overheard that you were looking for three clever adventurers for some arduous task.  One for which we could be richly compensated?” Sneed: “I have such a job.  You will need someone who can disable traps.”Knom and Eric look to Gilder he shrugged then nodded.Sneed continued “and of course, there may be guardians.” After looking them over to see if they had weapons, he spoke again, “I’d like for you to retrieve an important item of value to me, a ring.  It once belonged to a man named Varg, and I have reason to believe that it was buried along with him in crypt that is near here.  The crypt was constructed by the gnomish architect, Znute, who was widely renowned for his cunning use of traps to protect the rich from tomb raiders.  I desperately wish to possess Varg’s ring and will pay …” he peered into his back of coins, “200 gold coins to the group who retrieves it.”  The party stepped aside for a moment to discuss it.  Gilder and Eric were interested but Knom was leery.  It sounded like they would be robbing the dead and Knom didn’t want to participate.  After some discussion, he was convinced, but he was still reluctant.  They agreed to Sneed’s terms, made arrangements for meeting up later at the Griffon, and Sneed gathered up his books to show them the way to Varg’s crypt.</blockquote>

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